Structure of the heart

Heart:
Atrium: 2 chambers situated in the upper part of the heart (left and right). The blood here has
returned to the heart from the body or the lungs. “ The left atrium will receive oxygenated
blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins”, whilst the right atrium receives
“deoxygenated blood from the vena cava” Adams, Barker, Gledhill, Lyndon, Mulligan,
phillippo, Sutton (2010)
Ventricle: The left and right chambers situated in the lower part of the heart. These chambers
work to pump the blood out of the heart. The ventricle has thick cell walls and the chambers
are bigger than the Atriums, “The right ventricle works to pump blood to the pulmonary
circulation for the lungs” whilst the left ventricle which is the biggest chamber pumps blood “
to the systemic circulation for the body. Adams, Barker, Gledhill, Lyndon, Mulligan,
phillippo, Sutton (2010)
Bicuspid valve (mitral valve): A valve situated between the left atrium and left ventricle, “ It
allows blood to flow in the one direction (left atrium to left ventricle)
Adams, Barker, Gledhill, Lyndon, Mulligan, phillippo, Sutton (2010)
Tricuspid valve: situated between the right atrium and ventricle. It allows blood to flow in
one direction between the right atrium to the right ventricle
Aortic valve: This valve is placed by the left ventricle and the aorta. “ this valve prevents a
backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle” Adams, Barker, Gledhill, Lyndon,
Mulligan, phillippo, Sutton (2010)
Pulmonary valve: situated on the right side of the heart by the ventricle and the pulmonary
artery, this valve prevents backflow from the pulmonary artery.
Adams, Barker, Gledhill, Lyndon, Mulligan, phillippo, Sutton (2010)
 Blood vessels
Veins: veins are blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart. Veins carry deoxygenated
blood from the tissues and muscles back to the heart. Veins are thin walled due to them
carrying blood at low pressure and also have a large diameter.
Venules: A venule is a small blood vessel in the heart that allows deoxygenated blood to
transfer from the capillary to the veins.
Superior Venae Cavae: a vein that receives deoxygenated blood from the upper body and
deposits in to the right atrium Adams, Barker, Gledhill, Lyndon, Mulligan, phillippo, Sutton
(2010)
Inferior Venae cavae: A vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the
right atrium of the heart
Artery: Arteries are used to carry blood away from the heart. The blood is normally
oxygenated. Arteries are thick walled due to them carrying blood at high pressure.
Arteriole: An arteriole is a small diameter blood vessel in the heart that links an artery to the
capillaries.
Aorta: This is the main artery in the body, “it is situated in the left ventricle and carries
oxygenated blood all over the body except the lungs” Adams, Barker, Gledhill, Lyndon,
Mulligan, phillippo, Sutton (2010)
Pulmonary vein: this carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium Adams,
Barker, Gledhill, Lyndon, Mulligan, phillippo, Sutton (2010)
Pulmonary artery: situated on the right side of the body and carries deoxygenated blood
from the heart back to the lungs( t’s the only artery that will carry deoxygenated blood )
Adams, Barker, Gledhill, Lyndon, Mulligan, phillippo, Sutton (2010)
Capillaries: Capillaries are the smallest blood vessel. The capillaries are one cell thick. The
function of the capillaries is to allow the transfer of water, oxygen, carbon dioxide and
nutrients in to the blood and tissues in the body. Capillaries are important because they allow
diffusion of oxygen and nutrients which are required for the cells in the body to work
effectively. Adams, Barker, Gledhill, Lyndon, Mulligan, phillippo, Sutton (2010)
Functions of the Cardio-vascular system:
• To deliver oxygen and nutrients: The main function of the
cardio-vascular system is to supply oxygen and nutrients to
tissues within the body through the bloodstream.

• Another function is to remove waste products from tissues

and carry them to the kidneys and the liver and also deposit
carbon dioxide found in the tissues at the lungs. Adams, Barker,
Gledhill, Lyndon, Mulligan, phillippo, Sutton (2010)

• The cardiovascular system is responsible for increasing or

decreasing heat within the body to help maintain thermal
balance during exercises Adams, Barker, Gledhill, Lyndon,
Mulligan, phillippo, Sutton (2010)

• Another function is vaso-dilation which causes “ an increase in

the size of a blood vessel to decrease the resistance of blood
to an area supplied by the vessels “ Adams, Barker, Gledhill,
Lyndon, Mulligan, phillippo, Sutton (2010)

• The function of the blood is to transport oxygen and nutrients

around the body and also to and from cells.

• Oxygen gets transported and during exercise more oxygen is

needed to reach the muscles, the red blood cells have to
transport oxygen from the lungs to the area of the body which
requires the it. Adams, Barker, Gledhill, Lyndon, Mulligan,
phillippo, Sutton (2010)

• Clotting is another function of the Cardio vascular system, this

occurs when white bloods cells form a solid clots, this then
covers damaged blood vessel wall to assist in the repair of the
vessel. Adams, Barker, Gledhill, Lyndon, Mulligan, phillippo, Sutton
(2010)

• Blood also has the function of fighting infections this is done

as blood “ contains antibodies and white bloods cells help
defend against viruses” Adams, Barker, Gledhill, Lyndon,
Mulligan, phillippo, Sutton (2010)